Prominent Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday following discussions with two Union ministers, bringing one chapter of the ongoing NEET paper leak protest to a close. Wangchuk announced the decision through a post on X, stating that he had agreed to end his fast after appeals from several Members of Parliament and after extensive negotiations aimed at preventing further unrest across the country.

Although he did not reveal the details of the discussions, Wangchuk said he would soon share the conditions that led to his decision through a video message. His move comes amid growing national concern over the impact of the alleged examination paper leak on millions of students and the increasing political attention surrounding the issue.

Students Continue Their Campaign

Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, organizers of the NEET paper leak protest confirmed that demonstrations would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down. Protesters hold the minister politically accountable for the alleged leaks that affected nearly two million medical entrance examination candidates earlier this year.

This protest march is headed by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). This is a youth movement initiated by Abhijeet Dipke. In response to the decision made by Wangchuk, Dipke applauded the activist for his perseverance and dedication, stating that Wangchuk’s hunger strike is a role model for thousands of youth who aspire for accountability.

He assured that this struggle will continue until their main objective is achieved.

Government Responds to Public Concerns

This is because, earlier this week, the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, finally spoke out on the issue in light of growing pressure to resign. He said that the government was committed to addressing issues to do with examinations and to instituting reforms to improve the examination systems of the country.

But his claims have not done anything to ease the NEET paper leak protests because protesters feel that besides reforms, there is a need for accountability from a political perspective. Moreover, the protestors have highlighted instances where there are claims of suicide of students due to the scandal.

Political Pressure Continues to Grow

The NEET paper leak protest has become one of the most prominent youth-led protests that the Modi-led government has ever had to deal with since assuming power in 2014. The opposition parties have openly backed the protestors’ demands and have constantly brought up the topic of discussion in the current monsoon session of Parliament.

It has made the issue go beyond being an issue of student unrest into one involving governance, accountability, and trust of the people in national exam systems.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too gave his response after Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, requesting the activist to get better through proper medical treatment and gain back the lost weight.

Demonstrations Continue Across Delhi

The organizers of the protest called for a nationwide protest on Friday in support of the students who accused the police of excesses during the massive march towards Parliament a few days back. Tens of thousands have taken part in the march, underscoring the growing number of participants of the NEET paper leak protest who are not limited only to the student community.

By Thursday afternoon, thousands of protestors had once again assembled at the Jantar Mantar complex in Delhi, holding placards and shouting slogans. While there was a strong security force in the vicinity, metro services at several stations in the area have been stopped, and mobile internet facilities have been banned in some parts of central Delhi.

These have also affected the functioning of businesses in the central parts of the city due to the NEET paper leak protest.

What Lies Ahead?

Even though Sonam Wangchuk’s move to stop his fast has been an important event in the movement, it has not weakened the resolve of the protesters to ensure accountability. With ongoing negotiations and increasing political pressure, the NEET paper leak protest will be a top national issue until there is a satisfactory resolution.

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